Author: Fiber-MART.COM

Many industries today are expanding significantly and the need for upgrading IT environments became even more necessary. Thanks to advances in technology, a number of business owners are migrating from using conventional copper wires to fiber optics. Among the key components of fiber optic tools and equipment is the transceiver. Let us help you understand what it is and how it works:

How Do Fiber Optic Transceivers Work?

Fiber optic transceivers receive information from one optical fiber end to another. Its cables send and receive information in a form of light pulses. These light pulses then convert into electrical signals where electronic devices can make use of them. It makes good use of light sources to send data, while it uses photodiode semiconductor to receive light pulses.

Its common transceiver module is hot-swappable I/O (input/output) and the transceiver acts to connect the electrical circuits with the network. Modern transceivers are small and pluggable, so they can expand to different modules.

How Do Industries Use Fiber Optic Transceivers?

Many industries have been using fiber optic transceivers thanks to their reliability and compatibility with different communication applications, like Cisco routers or switches. Radio and networking applications are among the most common uses of fiber optic transceivers. It has four types that help covert electrical signals to optical signals—LEDs, distributed feedback (DFB) lasers, fabry-perot (FP) lasers, and vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs).

Fiber optic transceivers are indeed useful, but they can malfunction and become outdated. It is best to get an upgrade as soon as it starts to show signs of failure. We have a range of transceivers available in different brands and cabling types if you wish to replace your current device.

At fiber-mart.com, we are here to support your industry to speed up its operations and overall productivity. Contact us today to find out more of the transceiver products we offer.

Twenty years ago, when I began working on communications infrastructure projects, testing equipment was simple and had limited functionality. Screens were monochromatic, the battery did not last long, and there was no software to manage reports. Performing tests was really a challenge: not only the test itself, but interpreting the results to detect and solve network problems. Today the story is quite different.

Modern testing equipment is not only able to provide professional reports to deliver them directly to the client, but they can also have specific functionalities for troubleshooting, including reflectometry in the time domain, to display a very clear map of the NEXT and RL behavior along the link. Additional functionalities include a sophisticated interchangeable copper and fiber optic modules, full color touch screen and detailed graphics of each parameter to be measured.

However, there are still many technicians who do not know much about testing theory or best network certification practices, added to the inconvenience that the end customer trusts a “pass” in the delivered reports as the ultimate proof, deems it as sufficient evidence of network’s performance and that mission critical applications will work.

Following a partial list of possible causes for a “fail” test:

The testing equipment is not calibrated

The field reference has not been made

The battery is at a very low level

The optical modules have not reached their operating temperature

The equipment configuration is incorrect

The testing methodology is incorrect

The chosen standard is incorrect

Cables and connecting modules are worn out

There is dirt in the connectors

The connectors are damaged, scratched

There is excessive bending or compression in the cable plant

The fiber optic is broken (eg., patch cord)

The patch cord fiber is different to the type of fiber plant installed

The Restricted Flow (EF) modules are not being used

Modules are multimode but singlemode fiber is being tested or vice versa

And clearly, poor quality or low performing components …

Of course,  products acquired through authorized distributors assure you peace of mind. In addition, our high-performance solutions are installed by our PartnerPro Network, partners who are required to pass a strict training program in our Infrastructure Academy.

However, will everything be alright if there is a “pass” in the report? We have found that a false “pass” when measuring an optical link is much more frequent, since fiber testing requires the knowledge of additional equipment configurations, detailing the characteristics of the link and the network technologies the client needs to run.

So, what would you rather have for the operation of your network? Knowing the link fails, or being certain that the link report reads “pass”, but the truth is the test was inappropriately executed? What would happen if the optical link is deployed in a data center, where applications assurance is required: not only a test with a “pass” of TIA or ISO standards, but also the certainty that the application can run without errors through the communications channel?

If you want to learn more about this fascinating topic, we invite you to attend our next webinar in Spanish (May 10th) where we will deal with the key aspects of fiber optics cabling testing, the correct use of the fiber performance calculator, and the configuration of the most sophisticated equipment in the market, with the co-participation of our partner Fluke Networks.

Fiber media converters is an indispensable network data transmission equipment, then what is optical media converter, it has what composition, what role does it play in the data dissemination process?

Fiber media converters include three basic functional modules: optical media conversion chip, optical signal interface (optical media converter module) and electrical interface (RJ45), if equipped with network management functions, including network management information processing unit. It is an Ethernet transmission Media conversion module that converts short distance twisted-pair signals and long distance optical signals to each other and is also called a fiber converter or Ethernet media converter. It generally applies to Ethernet cables that cannot be covered, it is necessary to use optical fiber to extend the actual network environment of transmission distance, and it is usually positioned in the access layer of broadband Metropolitan Area Network, and it also plays an important role in helping to connect the last kilometre of fiber line to the metropolitan area Network.

In some large-scale enterprises, the network construction directly using fiber for the transmission medium to establish the backbone network, and the internal LAN transmission medium is generally copper, how to achieve LAN connected with the fiber backbone network? This requires different ports, different Linear, different fiber between the conversion and to ensure the quality of the link.  The emergence of fiber-optic media converter, allows the twisted pair of electrical signals and optical signals to each other to ensure the smooth transmission of packets between the two networks while extending the network transmission distance from the copper wire from 100 meters to more than 160 kilometers (Single-mode fiber).

What are the basic features of a fiber media converter?

Fully transparent to the network protocol.

Provide ultra low delay data transmission.

Supports Ultra wide working temperature range.

Using ASIC chip to achieve data line speed forwarding. The programmable ASIC centralizes many functions on a chip, which has the advantages of simple design, high reliability, and low power consumption so that the equipment can get higher performance and lower cost.

Provide network management equipment to diagnose, upgrade, status report, abnormal Situation Report, and control function, can provide complete operation log and alarm log.

Rack-type equipment can provide hot-swappable functions for easy maintenance and uninterrupted upgrades.

Supports a variety of transmission distances (0~160 km).

The Media Converter Rack adopts the dual power supply design, supports the ultra wide power supply voltage, realizes the power protection.

What kinds of fiber media converters are available?

There is a wide range of fiber optic media converters that can be categorized in different ways.

According to the properties of an optical fiber can be divided into Multimode fiber media converter and Single-mode fiber media converter. Because of the use of different fiber, media converter can transmit the distance is not the same, Multimode fiber media converter general transmit distance between 0.5 km to 2 kilometers, and the single mode fiber media converter coverage can range from 20 km to 120 kilometers;

According to the number of optical fiber required can be divided into Single fiber (WDM) optic media converter, receiving data sent in a single strand fiber transmission; Dual Fiber optic media converter, receiving sent data on a pair of optical fiber transmission.

According to the work level/rate, can be divided into single 10M, 100M fiber media converter, 10/100M adaptive Fiber media converter, and 1000M fiber media converter.

According to the structure, can be divided into desktop (stand-alone) fiber media converter and card-type optical media converter. Stand-alone fiber media converter Suitable for a single user, such as a single switch in the corridor to meet the upper allied. Card-type (modular) optical media converter suitable for multi-user convergence, such as the central room of the community must meet all the switches in the upper allied.

According to network management can be divided into management type optical media converter and non-network management type Optical media converter.

According to the power type can be divided into: internal power optical media converter, the built-in switching power supply for the telecommunications application; external power supply Optical media converter, External transformer power is used in civilian equipment. The former advantage lies in the ability to support the ultra wide power supply voltage, to better achieve voltage regulator, filter, and equipment power protection, reduce the mechanical contact caused by external fault points; the latter has the advantage that the equipment is small and inexpensive.

Divided by the way of work: Full-duplex refers to when data is sent and received streaming, by two different transmission lines, respectively, the communication between the two sides can be sent and received at the same time operation, such a transmission is full duplex system, Full-duplex mode without the direction of the switch, therefore, there is no switching operation caused by the time delay; Half-duplex refers to the use of the same transmission line both as a receiving and sending, although the data can be transmitted in two directions, the communication between the two sides can not send and receive data, such a transmission is half duplex system. In a Half-duplex mode, the transmitter and receiver of each end of the communication system are transferred to the communication line by the receiving/sending switch, and the direction is switched, thus the time delay is generated.

These are some of the basic knowledge of optical media converter, we should have a basic understanding of fiber media converter in the application before fiber cabling to avoid any trouble.

XENPAK is a multi-source agreement (MSA) for a 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) transceiver package. It’s the oldest 10G fiber optic transceiver. XENPAK transceivers are designed with XAUI interface and Digital Diagnostic Monitor Interface, which comply with the XENPAK MSA protocol and satisfy the application of 802.3ae Ethernet protocol 10GB. XENPAK transceivers are supplied for physical layer interfaces supporting multi-mode and single mode fiber optic cables and InfiniBand copper cables with connectors like as CX4. Transmission distances vary from 100 meters (330 ft) to 80 kilometers (50 mi) on fiber and up to 15 meters (49 ft) on CX4 cable. Newer XENPAKs using the 10GBase-LX4 standard operated using multiple wavelengths on legacy multimode fibers at distances of up to 300 meters (980 ft), eliminating the need to reinstall cable in a building when upgrading certain 1 Gbit/s circuits to 10 Gbit/s.

The XENPAK form factor was initially supported by numerous network equipment manufacturers and transceiver optics vendors. However, advances in technology led to more compact form factors for 10 Gigabit Ethernet applications. Soon after the standard was introduced in 2001, two related standards emerged: XPAK and X2. These two standards have the same electrical interface as XENPAK (known as XAUI) but smaller mechanical properties. XENPAK was replaced by X2 or SFP+ transceiver that providing higher port density and most of the transceiver vendors stop to provide to the market. Nowadays, however, there is quite few Ethernet switch or routers with Xenpak port worked, a Xenpak to SFP+ converters was produced to meet the needs.

Types of XENPAK

Classified by Applications: XENPAK CWDM, XENPAK DWDM, Dual fiber XENPAK, XENPAK BIDI

Classified by Distance: CX4 for 15m on copper, SR for 300m, LRM for 220m, LR for 10km or 20km, ER for 40km, ZR for 80km.

Definition of Industrial Fiber Optic Transceiver

Industrial fiber optic transceiver also called as hardened fiber optic transceiver or hardened industrial grade fiber optic transceiver, it refers to the optic transceiver with rugged connectors and extended operation temperature of -40°C to 85°C in an harsh industrial environment, such as industrial fiber media converter or Ethernet Switches for the application of industrial and factory automation,outdoor applications,rail and intelligent transportation systems (ITSs),marine,oil and gas,mining etc. Unlike commercial grade fiber optic transceiver, this one must be designed with field-hardened components including two optical subassemblies, an electrical subassembly, and the housing, and tested to handle operating temperatures between -40°C and 85°C to avoid causing any premature failure of the product.

Types of Industrial Fiber Optic TransceiverRAD SFP-3H Compatible 100BASE-EX SMF 1310nm 40km Industrial SFP Transceiver

Industrial 1×9 SC/FC/ST Optic Transceiver

Industrial SFP Optic Transceiver

Industrial GBIC Optic Transceiver

Industrial XFP Optic Transceiver

Industrial SFP+ Optic Transceiver

Industrial SFF Optic Transceiver

Industrial XENAPK Optic Transceiver

Industrial X2 Optic Transceiver

Industrial CWDM/DWDM Optic Transceiver

Applications of Industrial Fiber Optic Transceiver

The industrial fiber optic transceiver is specified used for Industrial Ethernet networks such as Industrial fiber media converter, Industrial Ethernet Switches. The application environments include industrial and factory automation, outdoor applications, rail and intelligent transportation systems (ITS), power utility substations, marine, oil and gas, mining and health care delivery etc. This industrial fiber optic transceiver ensures the highest level of durability and adaptability of industrial Ethernet equipment under harsh environmental conditions.